Spring has sprung, which means it’s time for Egg Hunts! The Rock Island Parks and Recreation are spicing things up, however, with an Underwater Egg Hunt! Join the Rock Island Parks and Recreation for their 2nd Annual Underwater Egg Hunt! The hunt will take place at the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center on Sunday Apr 7 from 1 – 3 p.m. The cost to participate in this one-of-a-kind egg hunt is only $5 per child (accompanying adult is free). New this year, registration will be completed by time category instead of age groups. Hunting times will commence every 15 minutes, with a Deep End Dive... Read More

Satisfy your sweet tooth with a decadent chocolate experience! Indulge yourself at the Chocolate Experience on Saturday Apr 6 at the QC Botanical Center (2525 4th Ave Rock Island). Head to the warm and inviting Botanical Center for a day of delights and relaxation. Local chocolatiers and bakeries will be offering samples galore and selling products to take home to enjoy and share. Learn about chocolate and other wonders that come from the tropics on a free sun garden tour. There is something for all ages to enjoy. Three time slots for visiting are offered and tickets are only good for a single... Read More

The Quad Cities’ grassroots music festival “Dawn and On” revealed their talent lineup, at the same time confirming a venue change to Rock Island’s Schwiebert Park for the July 6 event. The day-long festival, now heading into its fifth year, had previously been held at Moline’s North Shore Inn in each of its first 4 years. Dawn and On has grown in attendance each year, exceeding 1500 attendees in 2018. In light of the move to Schwiebert Park, the event format will stay the same, with live music running from noon-midnight, along with a full slate of local craft vendors, food vendors, full... Read More

The Big Swing is stepping to the tee in downtown Rock Island, opening its doors at noon today at the location of the old Blue Cat Brew Pub, 113 18th St., with a limited menu for Friday and Saturday before closing Sunday and Monday and re-opening with its full menu Tuesday, March 19. QuadCities.com was invited for a sneak preview of the venue to check out the menu and decor prior to the opening, and while it was still a work in progress when we saw it, its look was very much in line with the Blue Cat, albeit with a different color scheme and some refurbished seats, tables and hardware. The walls... Read More

We at QuadCities.com are as excited as you are for the big grand opening of the Big Swing. The new restaurant and brew pub, located in the old Blue Cat Brew Pub in downtown Rock Island, opens Friday at noon. However, QuadCities.com was given an exclusive sneak preview of the hot spot. We were stoked to see the new menu and we’re here to share it with you. Check out your site for fun, free, local entertainment later tonight for more pictures of the interior and more news on the Big Swing grand opening. And don’t forget to like and check out our Facebook page for an exclusive video preview of... Read More

It’s time for the only bi-state St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the country! And it’s right here in the Quad Cities! The Grand Parade takes place this Saturday Mar 16. The parade begins at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of 4th Avenue and 23rd Street in Rock Island. It will then wind its way west through downtown Rock Island following 4th Avenue to 20th Street, then to 3rd Avenue to 17th Street and finally to 2nd Avenue to the Centennial Bridge. The parade then crosses the Mississippi River to Gaines Street in Davenport. From there, it will go north to 3rd Street and then east on 3rd to the River Center.... Read More

The scotch egg is staying. So is the meatloaf. So is the catfish, and many other menu items, almost all of the décor and a good portion of the staff, when The Big Swing opens next Friday in the former Blue Cat Brew Pub. The spot will have a limited menu opening Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, then will be closed Sunday and Monday, before having its full opening and menu March 19. “We’re excited and we’re looking forward to opening and welcoming the community,” said John Timmer, a co-owner of the Swing, as well as Milan’s Backyard Bowl and Abides Bar and Grill, with Shane Scott and... Read More

The Rock Island/Milan School Break may be one week shorter than usual, but there are still plenty of things for kids, families and adults to do at Rock Island Libraries. Checking out a culture pass to the Putnam Museum, Figge Art Museum, German-American Heritage Center or the Quad City Botanical Center is one option for a no-cost family getaway. The library also checks out family games and learning puzzles at its Downtown Library, 401 19th Street, and a collection of video game titles at all locations. Library visitors will also find a wide range of books, music, and movies, in both physical and... Read More

Anyone read that article sweeping the web about Terry Tilka? He’s celebrating his 30th year of busting his ass as the owner of the coolest bar in the Quad-Cities, one that’s outlived almost every other and fought its way through countless trends, several recessions and umpteen financial curves in the Quad-Cities. Terry started off young, when he was in college, owning bars around the area, and busted his ass most frequently as the owner of O’Meara’s (named after his Mom’s maiden name), before putting his money and his life on the table to buy a little spot called RIBCO when there was... Read More

The music of legendary singer/songwriter John Denver will fill Circa ’21 Dinner Playhouse on March 21, as Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon return to the stage! Chris Collins looks and sounds just like the legendary singer/songwriter, and Circa ’21 is happy to welcome him back for the third time. “The audiences loved Chris each time he been here” said Brett Hitchcock director of audience development. “He looks like John, he sounds like John…it’s just amazing!” The Rock Island theater will offer a matinee and an evening performance on March 21. Doors... Read More